Tacking attachment for sewing-machines



i (No Model.)

J. D. .SGHOONMAK-m.

TAGKING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING- MACHINES.

No. 549,537. Patented Nov. 12, 1895.

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UNITED STATES yPATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D; SCHOONMAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE LENOXMANUFACTURING COMPANY,- OF JERSEY CITY, NEW' JERSEY.

TACKING ATTACHMENT FOR sEwlNc-MAcHlNEs.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,537', datedNovember 12, 1895.

Application iiled May 22, 1893. Serial No. 475,168. (No model.)

of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have inventedcertain new and use- Vful Improvements in Tacking Attachments forSewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the said invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention has for its object to provide an attachmenth for sewingmachines which shall be adapted to tack the corners of pockets,buttonholes, crotches, rbc., wherever the parts are subjected to specialstrain, which would otherwise tend to rip or tear the sewed parts of thegarment.

To this end my invention consists of certain novel devices andcombinations of devices, which will be hereinafter fully described, andbe defined inthe claims.

My attachment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein, likeletters referring to like parts throughout the several views- Figure lis a plan View of the device with some parts broken away. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinalsection'throngh the device on the line X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a bottomplan view of the device; and Fig. 5 is a partial vertical section on theline X2 X2 of Fig. 3, looking from the left, with some parts broken awayand others omitted.

c c c? represent, respectively, the bed portion, the cam-wheel casing,and the lugs for embracing the presser-foot bar, all of which parts areformed integral with each other and constitute what may be termed thefixed body or frame of the device. One of the lugs a2 is provided with ajam-screw a3 for clamping the device to the presser-foot bar of thesewing-machine, and thereby securing the same in its proper workingposition.

Inthe fixed casing a is j ournaled a shaft b, which extends outwardslightly beyond the casing at one end and has fixed to its external orprojecting portion a ratchet-wheel Z9. On

the said shaft b, between the casing a and the ratchet-wheel b, ispivoted a lever h2, which is provided with a spring-held pawl b3, inengagement with the ratchet-wheel b'. At its forward end the lever b2 isprovided with a pair of jaws b4, adapted to embrace the jamscrew whichsecures the needle to the needlebar of the sewing-machine and be clampedby the said jam-screw to the needle-bar when the device is in workingposition. Hence, under the action of the needle-bar, the lever L2 willbe croked up and down, and, through the pawl and ratchet b3 o', theshaft b will receive a step-by-step rotary motion in a constantdirection. On the said shaft b is mounted a peripheral cam-channel wheelb5 h6, which is fixed to the shaft, as shown, by a set-screw hl. On thesaid shaft and fixed to the ends of the cam-wheel b5 are mounted a pairof beveled gear-wheels hs, arranged so that the teeth of the two wheelsface each other and project beyond the cam-wheel. The cam-channel b ofthe cam-wheel b5 is engaged from below by a roller b on a stud Z910,formed integral with a lever bu, which is pivoted to the fixed part ofthe frame at its rear end, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. As shown, thepivot consistsY of a set-screw 512, the body or upper portion of whichhas screw-threaded engagement with a suitable seat formed in the fixedframe and the lower portion of which is reduced in respect to the bodyportion and is screw-threaded for adapting the same to be engaged by anut Z913. The projecting stem of the set-screw 612, as well as the shankof the nut Z213, works through a slot c in a clamping-plate c andthrough a slot or opening d in the cloth-clamp slide d. On the lever huand having dovetailed enga genient therewith is mounted a cross-headslide Z914, which may be clamped to the said lever Z911 in any desiredposition thereon by a setscrew 515, which works through a longitudinalslot c2 in the clamping-plate c. The clothclamp slide CZ is providedwith a serrated cloth-clamp d2 at its forward end, which is connected tothe slide by loose rivets d3 in such a way as to permit a limitedpivotal movement of the said cloth-clamp d2 in respect to the slide d.The cloth-clamp d2 is providedpwith a needle-passage d* of the properIOO dimensions to aiford the requisite play of the cloth-clamp inrespect to the needle under the action of the device. The cloth-clampslide (Z is provided with a longitudinal slot (Z5 in its rearwardportion, through which works the body of a shouldered set-screw CZ, thereduced or -screw threaded portion of which engages er is tapped intothe fixed frame of the device. The said shouldered set-screw d worksthrough the clamping-plate e and serves to form a pivot or fulcrum forthe oscillatory lor laterally swinging clothclamp slide (Z/ and theclamping-plate c when the parts are in working position.

From the foregoing statements it is obvious that the cloth-clamp slide(Z/ is held between the bed portion a of the frame and theclamping-plate c bythe parts Z112Z113Z115and the pivotscrew (ZG. Theslot c in the clamping-plate c and the opening or longitudinal slot (Zin thc forward part of the clamp-slide (Z/ are of the proper lateraldimension to afford elearance, with respect to the fixed nut Z113, forthe lateral swinging` motion of the cloth-clamp. The cross-head slideZ114 is of a size to exactly fit the opening (Z in the cloth-clampslide. Hence, when the parts are in workin g position, under the rotarymotion of the cam-wheel b5 the lever Z111 will be swung back and forthin the horizontal plane and will impart a similar swinging motion to thecloth-clamp (Z2 and the forward end of the cloth-clamp slide d. In thisswinging motion of the cloth-clamp (Z2 and the forward end of the slided the clampin g-plate e will also swing at its forward end with thecloth-clamp slide d and both will turn on the pivot-screw d as theirfulcrum. The extent of throw given to the cloth-clamp (Z2 in its lateralswinging motion is determined by the position of the cross-head slideb14 on the cam-lever Z111. If this cross-head Z114 be at its outermostlimit on the lever Z211, the full stroke of the lever ZJ11 will beimparted to the clothcla-mp d2; but if the said cross-head Z211 be inany other position nearer to the pivoted end of the said lever Z211 thelateral stroke or throw of the cloth-clamp Z2 will be correspondinglydecreased.

Having regard new to the sliding motion or longitudinal feed of thecloth-clamp slide (Z', it may be seen en reference to Fig. 3 that thesaid slide (Z/ is provided with a vertical lug (ZT. This lug detachablyengages with a suitable seat in a nutf, which is mounted on and hasscrew-threaded engagement with a screw-shaftf". This serew-shaftf/ ismounted in suitable vertical bearing-lugs f2 of a lateral slide-platef3, which has dovetailed engagement with flange-lugs f4, fixed to orforming a part of the main frame a a. 'lhe .forward end of thescrew-shaftj" is provided with a beveled pinion f5, which maybe made toengage with either one of the beveled gea-rwheels bS on the shaft Z) andcam-wheel b5 or he thrown into an idle position, where it will be out ofgear with either of said wheels Zig. It is therefore, of course, obviousthat the said screw-shaft f will be turned in one or the otherdirection, according to which one of the said beveled gear-wheels Z18the said beveled pinion f5 is made to engage. The laterally-movableslide f3, on which the said serew-shaftf is mounted, is under thecontrol of a pivoted cam-action shipper-lever f, This lever is pivotedto the bed-plate a, as shown at f7, and is provided with a cam-slot f,which is engaged by a stud fm, rising from the said laterally-movableslide-plate f. In virtue of the relation of the cam-slot f and the studf1O the said plate f3 may be shifted by operating the pivoted lever f,so as to stand in either one of its extreme positions or in itsintermediate and idle position. The said lever f is provided with a pairof projections or cam-tips f 11, one or the other of which will be inthe path of the traveling nut j" whenever the pinion is in engagementwith either of the beveled gears Zig.

It should have been noted that the screwshaft f is held againstlongitudinal movement and that the nut f travels lengthwise of the shaftf through a slot f1? in the slideplate f3. Hence whenever the nut jireaches the limit of its travel in either direction on the shaft f itwill have engaged one or the other of the cam-tips f11 on the lever fand have rocked the said lever into its opposite extreme position, whichmovement of the said lever f will move the slide-plate f3 from one tothe other extreme of its lateral movement, and thereby shift the pinionf5 from one to the other of the said beveled gears Z;8 andreverse thedirection of the travel of the nutf and the cloth-clamp slide (Z. 'lhelongitudinal feed of the cloth-clamp slide d' and its reversal indirection is, therefore, automatic. The lever]CG is, however, capable ofhand action, so as to permit the longitudinal feed of the cloth-clamp tobe reversed at any intermediate point and permit the slide-plate j to bethrown into position to render the pinion f5 idle or out of gear witheither of the beveled gear-wheels bs. ln beth directions of thecloth-clamp slidcs travel the oscillatory or laterally-swinging motionof the clothclamp (Z2 will be maintained under the action of thecam-channel Z1" of the wheel Z1, the cam-lever Z111, and cross-head D11.

A flat spring g is shown as fixed to the forward part of the frame andas bearing at its free end against the continuous peripheral portion ofthe cam-wheel Zr", and serves to operate as a check-brake to prevent thebackward movement of the said cam-wheel.

From the foregoing detailed description it is thought that theconstruction and operation of this device must be clear and distinct. Itwill, of course, be understood that when this device is applied to thesewing-machine a cover is placed over the ordinary cloth-feed of thesewing-machine and the ordinary presser-foot is removed.

The device, as described, will produce an even stitch; but by placing athread or cord IOO IIO

at the side of the needle and holding the same in such a way that itwill shift laterally with the cloth-clamp, so that the needle will makeits downstroke on opposite sides of the cord alternately, a raised tackmay be producedl whenever so desired.

My device herein disclosed is, as must be apparent from the description,of extremely simple construction for the purposes had in view. v Itshould also be especially noted that in view of the fact that the casinga for the cam-wheel b5, beveled gear-wheels bs, and the pinion f5 isformed integral with or secured to the bed a, it protects the partswhich require the most oil from dust and dirt and shields the cloth andthe operator completely from the oil, which would be otherwise liable toescape from the rotary cam-wheel, beveled gears, and pinion. This formof frame also protects the working parts in such a way that they are notliable to injury from handling and knocking around under rough usage.

It should be especially noticed in regard to the action of this devicethat when in working position it is rigidly secured to the presser-footbar of the sewing-machine, and hence the attachment is movable up anddown with the presser-foot bar, thereby affording clearance for the freemanipulation of the cloth in the same way as under the ordinary actionof the sewing-machine.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the UnitedStates, is as follows:

l. In a sewing machine attachment, the combination with the cloth clampslide, of the pair of bevel gears receiving motion from the needle-bar,a shiftable screw-shaft having a pinion engageable with either of saidbevelgears, a traveling nut on said shaft connected with said clothclamp slide, and a shifting device for shifting said screw-shaft,substantially as described.

2. In a sewing machine attachment, the combination with the cloth clampslide, of the pair of bevel-gears receiving motion from the needle bar,a shiftable screw-shaft having a pinion engageable with either of saidgears, a traveling nut on said screw shaft connected with said clothclamp slide, and a screw-shaft shifter operated by said traveling nut toalternately shift said pinion from one to the other of said gears, forautomatically reversing the feed of the cloth clamp, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a sewing machine attachment, the combination with .the cloth clampslide, of the pair of bevel-gears receiving motion from the needle-bar,a shiftable screw-shaft having a pinion engageable with either of saidgears, a t-raveling nut on said shaft connected with said cloth clampslide, and a cam action pivoted lever arranged to shift said screw shaftand provided with a pair of tips or projections which are alternatelyacted upon by said traveling nut, to effect the shift and reverse thefeed, substantially as described.

4. The combination with the cloth clamp slide CZ, of the bevel gears 198receiving motion from the needle-bar, of the lateral slide plate f3, thescrew shaft f having the pinion f5, the traveling nut, f, the lug Z7 onsaid clamp slide engaging said nut, the shifting lever f6 having the camslot ff and the cam action tips f and the stud flo on the slideplate f3workin' g in said cam slot fg, substantially as described.

5. In a sewing machine attachment, the

combination with a cloth clamp slide mounted for pivotal andlongitudinal movement, of a rotary shaft receiving motion from theneedle bar, a cam-wheel on said shaft, a pivoted lever subject to theaction of said cam-wheel and connected with said cloth clamp slide, forimparting a lateral swinging motion to said clamp slide, a pair ofbeveled gears also on said shaft and facing each other, a shiftablescrew shaft having a pinion engageable with each of said beveled gears,and a traveling nut on said screw-shaft having a connection with saidcloth clamp slide, for impart-ing the longitudinal feed thereto,substantially as described.

6. In a sewing machine attachment, the combination with a suitable fixedframe, securable to the machine, of a cloth clamp slide mounted on saidframe, with freedom for longitudinal s'liding motion and lateralswinging motion, a rotary shaft provided with a ratchet, a lever pivotedon said shaft having a pawl engaging with said ratchet and securable tothe needle-bar, for turning said shaft with a step-by-step motion, acam-wheel on said shaft having a peripheral cam-channel, a pivotedcani-lever subject to the action of said cam-wheel, an adjustablecross-head connecting said cam-lever with said cloth clamp slide, forimparting the swinging motion to said slide, a pair of beveled gears onsaid shaft, a laterally movable slide-plate on said frame, a screw-shafton said slide-plate having a pinion engageable with either of saidbeveled gears, atraveling nut on said screw-shaft working through a slotin said plate and engaging a lug on said clamp-slide, for imparting thelongitudinal feed thereto anda shifting-lever having a cam slot and studconnection with said plate f3, which lever is capable of hand action andis also provided with cam tips subject to the action of said travelingnut, for shifting said plate and screw shaft either to stop or toreverse the feed of the cloth clamp slide, substantially as described.

JOHN D. SCI-IOONMAKER.

Witnesses B. SOHOONMAKER, S. T. MORGAN, F. P. MACK.

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